The Best Retro-Style Indie Games To Watch Out For

BY GARETH TORRANCE: With hundreds of different types of retro-style games on Steam alone, the choice you have as a gamer is absolutely crazy!

The Indie Gaming industry has seen such a huge explosion in popularity over the past few years. A lot of this is down to Steam and the inclusion of high-quality indie games on the PS4 and Xbox One. This rise has also led to a large amount of retro style games coming out, which is great for retro gamers like myself.

But that also means that you can get really confused about which ones to play, and since there are some really low-quality games out there as well, you might end up with something you don’t enjoy. So, in order to help you combat that, here’s a list of some of the coolest retro-style indie games to watch out for!

GalactaGirl

Whilst it is still in development, GalactaGirl is definitely a game worth keeping your eye on! Designed to fill the void of fast-paced, hyperspeed focused 2D side-scrolling platformers, GalactaGirl is an awesome throwback to the original Sonic The Hedgehog. However, it adds some really cool extra features that, whilst looking simple, make the game so much more fun. For example, the inclusion of a timer and scoreboard based on your speed, it encourages you to try and find the fastest way through each level, mastering the combos and killing the enemies with as much effectiveness and precision as possible!

On top of that, the developers show off their inspiration further by including homing attacks that allow you to navigate the level in different manners. All in all, it’s a really fun game, even though I’ve only played the beta demo so far, and it is definitely one you should be watching!

Fell Seal

Another game that’s still in development, you can find their Kickstarter campaign here. If, like me, you’re a fan of Disgaea and/or Final Fantasy Tactics, then Fell Seal is going to blow your mind! It’s a pixel-based Tactical RPG that features heavy customisation of characters, a very intriguing storyline, and thoroughly engaging battles. The visuals are beautiful, feeling more like works of art rather than just standard video game graphics. The animations and skills look awesome, and the musical score really pulls you into the world.

There’s a free demo available to try right now, just to whet your appetite. But be warned, you’ll fall in love with the game, and then you’ll be in the same situation as me; waiting impatiently for the full release.

Lucius Demake

Are you a horror fan? Have you ever watched The Omen and wondered what it would be like to control the young boy with those demonic powers? Well, when the original Lucius came out, that’s exactly what you were able to do. Now, however, the developers have released Lucis Demake for Steam and Android. In this version, the entire game has been remade in 8-bit NES style graphics, and it looks amazing! The gameplay is also just so much fun, if a bit violent in its subject matter.

You have to sneak around the house, solving puzzles and finding the best way to cause the people in the mansion to die. It’s really unique and definitely worth your time.

Okinawa Rush

The final retro-style indie game in this list that you need to keep an out for is Okinawa Rush; a side-scrolling beat-em-up in a similar vein to Double Dragon.

Development of the game is moving along well, and if you play the demo, it’s a really fast-paced and hectic beat-em-up with a great, yet simple to learn combo system. The animations are fluid, and the game itself is somewhat gory when you see the way in which enemies are defeated. There are also mini-games reminiscent of rhythm games, where you need to press the right key at the right time in order to boost your concentration and improve your skills and stats.

This is a really unique take on the beat-em-up genre that also manages to capture that nostalgic feeling that retro gaming is so full of. So definitely do yourself a favour and check out Okinawa Rush today!

And That’s All Folks

Those are four of the coolest retro-style indie games that have either just come out or are still in development. Either way, they’re all amazing games that you really need to look into and try out. You won’t be disappointed!

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